Crashing The Crease – Sept 2, 2013

Here is a daily look around the NHL at some interesting stories or features that you might have missed:

Mar 3, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Smyth (94) against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Oilers 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

• Stars and Sticks looks at Caps coach Adam Oates and his role in luring Mikhail Grabovski to Washington.  Personally I think he is a decent player but if they are expecting 50-60 points I don’t think he is that type of talent.  And, he won’t make those around him better.  Expect a lot of carrying the puck into the corner and stick-handling himself into trouble.
• Blades of Teal writer The King Shark takes a stab at predicting the Atlantic Division standings.  He has the Senators finishing 4th, behind the Bruins, Red Wings and Maple Leafs.  To each his own, and I don’t see it, but Ottawa has had to prove doubters wrong for the last 2 seasons, why should that change now?
• In a case of how the mighty have fallen, Oil On Whyte takes a look at heart and soul Ryan Smyth and how he might be shuffled out of any spot where he is a regular contributor.  He is happy do do what role he is assigned, but this could be the swan song of one of the league’s underrated competitors.
• For all you fantasy hockey players out there, most of the leagues are now open and it is time to consider your draft order.  NHL.com staffers take a stab at ranking the top 200 players.

Enjoy your Labour Day, and check back tomorrow for news from around the league as players begin arriving for rookie camps in the near future.  Puck drops for real in less than a month!